Monthly Archives: April 2016

Foundation breakdown can be tremendously dangerous if left uncorrected for too long. Unfortunately, the signs of a failing foundation usually present themselves once the problem has already become severe. These signs include cracked walls, uneven floors, cracked tiles, and windows or doors that do not open and close properly. If experience any of these foundation issues in your home, it is best to call a professional foundation contractor to schedule an inspection in order to find out if any further action should be taken.

Foundation failure is often caused by the soil beneath the building. Usually the challenging soils contain clay. Once the clay is wet, it often dries differently in some areas causing your foundation to move or settle. The factors that contribute to moisture in the soil range from weather, poor drainage, plumbing leaks, and even tree roots.

A common solution for a damaged foundation is called piering or underpinning. Piering is the process of lifting and stabilizing a building’s foundation. There are usually two styles of steel piers used for this; helical and resistance piers. Both are acceptable, though each are designed for a specific type of foundation. A certified foundation repair specialist can help you decide which piering system is best for your home.

Resistance piers are hydraulically pressed straight down into the soil with the weight of the structure acting as a counter balance. These piers go down until they reach a layer of soil hard enough to support it. These types of piers work best in situations where the structure that needs to be raised has a very heavy load constraint.

Foundation piers attach to the base of the foundation with special brackets and extend through the settling and unstable soil layers, transferring the weight of your home to competent soils or bedrock. If possible, the home is also lifted back to its original, level position.

While it can be a costly expense to stabilize a foundation, if your home is destroyed by foundation failure the cost would be devastating. The price of piering or underpinning can vary depending on several factors including the type of piers needed or how deep the piers will need to be installed. This is not a job where you want to go with the cheapest company around. RamJack Systems of Southwest Indiana has been fixing foundation issues in the Tri-State for over 30 years. We offer expert residential, commercial, and new construction foundation repair services. If your home is showing signs of foundation issues, contact us today for your free foundation repair estimate.